Socks and Chocs for the Homeless 2012

‘Socks and Chocs for the Homeless‘ is an initiative started by Ian Northcott, and supported by his work colleagues, to provide homeless people in Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton with a few basic home comforts at Christmas.

Last year they donated over 1800 pairs of socks and 2000 pieces of chocolate in addition to 150 sleeping bags.

This year, Ian’s aim is to raise the awareness of Socks and Chocs so that the level of donations can be significantly increased, so many more people, far less fortunate than ourselves, are able to have a small gift at this time of year.

Ian has come up with a novel idea to raise the profile of Socks and Chocs, but needs the support of everyone reading this to make it work.

Here we go then, in Ian’s own words…

“I was walking through Birmingham last night on the way back from a concert and was approached by a homeless man who needed money to buy a safe bed for the weekend.

After I had tried to ensure he would use any money to actually buy the bed I explained our Socks and Chocs For The Homeless event to him. He said “Man, I would love a new pair of socks, they make such a difference”.

In the run up to Christmas, myself and 5 colleagues collect Socks and Chocolates to be delivered to homeless people at Christmas. Last year we donated over 1800 pairs of socks and 2000 pieces of chocolate in addition to 150 sleeping bags.

I would like for musicians to cover my song ‘Pleasure‘ to hopefully help promote my Socks and Chocs event which myself and my colleagues do each Christmas Day.

I really want musicians to cover the song in as many different styles as you can. Forward it to your friends so they can cover it and let’s see if we can get it the most covered song on You Tube.I know most of you can do a better job than I can so go for it and put me to shame. Play it in any key just keep the lyrics intact and place the same chord numberings in any key. Please call it ‘Pleasure‘ and refer to ‘Socks and Chocs For The Homeless‘.

‘Pleasure’ by Ian Northcott

Here are the lyrics and chords:

Pleasure

G D
G D G
Em Am
G D C

So Unpleasant to the eye of
the common man,
With sores, dirty bodies and scabies,
Asking for money,
Upsetting the ladies,
Nobody really gives a dam.

Begging change to buy a safe bed,
Hunger, addiction and pain,
Troubled existence,
Lives down the drain,
Nobody cares if they live or if they’re dead.

Am Em
Am C
G D A D
A D

It seems such a pity,
When you walk round the city,
Lost soles congregate,
Making commuters late,
Asleep on the streets,
On bus shelter seats,
Their pleasure a bottle of beer.

Politicians, the rich, don’t understand,
Middle England, conscience clear,
Open your eyes,
See their fear,
So much for the Big Society brand.

It seems such a pity,
When you walk round the city,
Lost soles congregate,
Making commuters late,
Asleep on the streets,
On bus shelter seats,
Their pleasure a bottle of beer.

Am Em
Am Em
Am Em
G D

It could be me,
It could be you,
Your mother or brother,
So much we could do.

It seems such a pity,
When you walk round the city,
Lost soles congregate,
Making commuters late,
Asleep on the streets,
On bus shelter seats,
Their pleasure a bottle of beer.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Can you do something?

We deliver to homeless charities in Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton. If you feel like donating a pair of socks to our cause, Coventry Cyrenians can take delivery direct to their HQ.

Please make sure you write Socks and Chocs 2012 clearly on the package.

Coventry Cyrenians (Socks & Chocs)
Oakwood House
Cheylesmore
Coventry
CV1 2HL

Or if you are Wolverhampton based

Good Shepherd Soup Kitchen
Darlington Street
Wolverhampton

Just Giving

I have also opened a just giving site for people who want to help but don’t have the inclination to send socks. I would prefer socks as it fits with the whole concept but if someone can’t or doesn’t want to donate a pair then they could also donate via here.

https://www.justgiving.com/socksandchocs2012

Essentially instead of sponsoring us to do a charity run they would be sponsoring the team to collect and distribute socks and Chocs.

When I am tucked up warm in my bed in my nice cosy house I realise we could do more.

Can you do something?

Ian Northcott”

The Socks And Chocs team distributing your gifts to the homeless on Christmas Day 2011 in Coventry

…and here’s my ten pence worth

This is going to be a tough old year for many people, what with the continuing fall-out from the financial mess that this world has enveloped itself in, the continuing rise in fuel prices, the continuing rise in food prices,  and the uncertainty of whether you will have a job or not this time next year….

…saying that though, we really don’t know how well off we are. Most families have  centrally heated homes, multiple TV sets and gadgets, plenty to eat and a warm cosy bed to sleep off the days endeavours.

The people Ian and his colleagues are trying to help have NOTHING!

So everybody who reads this can do something!

Find out those socks in the back of your sock-drawer that your loving Auntie gave you a few years back and donate them! We all know that the reason that you have not thrown them out is that the sense of guilt would eat away at you having disposed of a gift from a loving relative. Donate them and banish the guilt!!!!

That big family size bar of chocolate in the cupboard… Donate it!!!! Think of the health benefits… and it will also help you squeeze into that sexy little number you bought for the Christmas office party (This is not sexist –  it is aimed at Ladies and Gentlemen!!!).

Seriously, though, if you are a musician, have a go at making a version of Ian’s song.

If you are sitting there, reading this on your computer, laptop, iPhone, iPad, Mini iPad, Samsung, Blackberry, TV… take a moment to link to this page using the icons below, or link to Ian’s You Tube page Pleasure (Socks and Chocs For The Homeless) … This will take a minute of your life,  yet could make a big difference to somebody elses…

Socks and Chocs For The Homeless 2012

Source:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xOd8mzL2x8&feature=plcp